ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in commemoration of the institute’s 60th anniversary joined the global celebrations for World Environment Day 2024 on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, with tree planting and sensitisation for environmental sustainable in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
Recognising the threat of climate change and the need for an urgent action to mitigate its effects and promote environmental good governance and greening of the economy, the Institute, NIPR integrated tree planting and advocacy into its diamond anniversary programmes, with the theme “Diamond Anniversary Walk for Economic Transformation and Green Nigeria.
Speaking during the tree planting and sensitisation programme, Mr. Jamani Tommy Ejiro, Commissioner for Environment, Delta State emphasised the significance of tree in human existence. He said that trees help to conserve water, preserve the soil, improve the air quality, and also absorb carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe. “…and if for any good reason you cut a tree, you should replace it by planting another tree” he declared.
Also speaking, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, a fellow of NIPR and former Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-South, called for a comprehensive approach to environmental preservation. He said that nature has started reacting due to the continued degradation of the environment. “And for too long we have been cutting down trees without replacing them, and nature will fight back, which we are already experiencing it”. He said.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mr. Godfrey C. Osakwe, said that tree planting is key to land restoration, desertification and drought resilience which is the central theme of this year’s World Environment Day. It has been established that trees are vital component of human existence, as they help conserve soil and water, prevent desertification, protect coastal areas, control avalanches and even provide us fruits and shade among other benefits of trees.
“We cannot continue to live in isolation of current realities; the degradation of the environment over the years is the resultant effects of climate change with the depletion of the ozone layers. So, combating climate change and preserving the ecosystems which invariably underpin the economic prosperity of our communities is an issue that requires collective and transformative efforts of everyone”. Osakwe posited.
The Director General of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA)/ the Immediate Past Chairman of Delta Chapter of NIPR, Chief Patrick Ukah, represented by Mr. Isaac Nwosu, Head of Environment at DSCTDA, condemned harmful environmental practices such as illegal felling of trees, indiscriminate bush burning, and the unhealthy use of chemicals on food. He urged everyone to act responsibly and make conscious efforts to reduce their carbon footprints for sustainable earth.
The celebration witnessed large turnout of stakeholders, with members of the State Chapter of NIPR, staff of the Ministry of Environment, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, and other environmental-friendly enthusiasts’ advocates on environmental responsibilities with planting of trees and sensitisation of citizens. The programme started with planting of 80 trees along the Maryam Babangida Road, Asaba, Delta State. 6o trees was planted on the median of the road, for the symbolic 60th Diamond Anniversary of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and 20 trees on shoulders of the road; both to also mark the 2024 World Environment Day.
The Tree planting was followed by the sensitisation from Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba to Inter-Bau Flyover Bridge through Okpanam road and back to Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat.
However, the State Chapter of NIPR has adopted the greening of the road as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the State, and would see to the nurturing of the trees planted and the vegetation of the remaining stretch of the road.
World Environment Day (WED) is a global platform initiated by the United Nations in 1972 to raise awareness about environmental issues and foster collective actions of the world communities for sustainable development. It is celebrated every June 5th across the world.
On its part, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) was established in 1963 and chartered in June 1990 through Decree 16 (now Cap N114,Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, LFN, 2004), to regulate the practice and profession of Public Relations in Nigeria. The core essence of the profession is to foster understanding, promote mutual respect, build goodwill, create friendship and strengthen relationships among different stakeholders in society.
The event was supported by the Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Environment Society (NES), Delta State Ministry of Environment, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA), Emmanys Place, Asaba, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), The Nigeria Police, and Delta State Environmental Protection Agency.
